The Last Bridge

Chapter 38

Rachel sighed as she walked in from her date with Aziz to see the same sight that'd welcomed her home for the past week.

Her younger brother, moping, in their living room. Not even reading a book or anything, just moping.

"Hey Ev," Rachel said with a slight smile; hoping to at least get a smile in return.

"Hey," he sighed, not even looking at her.

Well, he said something. That's a plus at least. Normally it's just a blank stare, Rachel thought as she went into the kitchen where her sisters were congregating.

"Anyone else worried about him?" Ruby asked. "He's never been like this before. Moping like this I mean."

Rachel sighed. She didn't know what to do. Sure as the eldest she normally had all the answers but that wasn't the case this time.

"Should we tell mom and dad?" Ruby asked.

"We promised Evan that they wouldn't know though," Robin sighed.

"But...I'm worried..." Ruby said, her voice soft.

"I am too," Rose nodded. "I've never seen him like this before."

Rachel sighed once more and shook her head. The only reason they'd made that promise to Evan was because two of her sisters couldn't contain their curiosity when they heard Evan's female friend giggling in his room.

Rose and Ruby made their way down the hall, chuckling to themselves as they crept toward their brother's room. Lately Evan had been spending his time in his room and they wanted to make sure he was okay.

"Evan! Cut it out!"

Both girls paused as they heard a girl squeal from within their brother's room.

"Well I think we know why Evan spends most of his time in his room now," Rose whispered.

"Oh? Why should I?" Evan's voice spilled out into the hall and Ruby had to smile as she heard the teasing tone in his voice.

"Because! Your family will hear this!"

"And that would be a bad thing why?"

"Oh, so you're saying they allow you to have random girls in your room?"

"Random girl has a point," Ruby whispered. "Mom and dad aren't going to be thrilled that Evan's got a girl in his room."

"At least it sounds like they're just friends," Rose whispered back before opening Evan's door. "So Ev, are you going to introduce us?"

Evan looked toward the door, almost jumping out of his skin upon hearing their voices. "Rose! Ruby! How...how long were you two standing there?"

"Oh about the time your friend here started giggling," Ruby said with a small smile. "So come on little bro, you gonna introduce us or not?"

Evan shook his head. "Guys, this is Hermione 'Hermie' Bing. Hermie, these are two of my older sisters—Rose and Ruby."

"Um....hi?" Hermie said, not meeting the older girls' eyes.

"Hi Hermie," Ruby said with a smile on her lips. "Looks like Rowyn was right! Evan wasn't talking to himself or listening to an audio book!"

Evan shook his head again. "Is there a reason why you two are in my doorway?"

"Is there a reason why you're hiding girls in your room now?" Ruby shot back, smirking slightly.